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NBA Picks

NBA Picks: Are the Pistons Good Enough to Outwin the Bulls Tonight?

The Bulls have picked up two big wins in a row, but now head out on the road to take on the Pistons. How should we attack the NBA odds for tonight's game in Detroit?

Odds Overview
Though they're at home, the Pistons are not getting much love from odds makers. They're the 3.5-point underdogs at most of the sportsbooks we've checked over, and if anything that line may only grow larger throughout the day. Keep your browser locked to the NBA odds in order to track the updated line movement, which will give you the best chance of maximizing value with your sports picks.

We've got a moderate total of 194.5 on the board for this one. Both teams are ranked in the top half of the NBA in terms of scoring defense ahead of tonight.

Detroit Pistons
Another season, another disappointing output from the Pistons. They're 24-44 overall on the year now, an awful record considering they do have some quality pieces to work with in their rotation. The consistency just has not been there on a game-to-game basis for Detroit, and that's been the team's downfall.

The fact Detroit hasn't been able to challenge for a playoff spot in the watered down Eastern Conference is downright sad. Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have been both tremendous this season, but they haven't gotten much help at all. The addition of Reggie Jackson was supposed to provide a jolt, but instead his inconsistent play has hampered the Pistons most games. He's trying to do too much and it isn't working.

Stan Van Gundy, however, is thinking towards the future and will be hoping to get a clearer picture of what changes he needs to make in time for a possible run next season. Is Jackson the long-term answer? We'll have to see, but for now the Pistons will be focusing on this evening's visit of a Bulls team that's looked dominant in recent days.

Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were on a poor run, having lost five of six, but they've righted the ship in a big way here over the past week or so, crushing both Indiana (103-86) and Toronto (108-92) at home. Obviously Chicago had little trouble covering the spread for backers in each victory, and Tom Thibodeau's gang will be eager to keep it going tonight in Detroit.

In Friday's triumph over the Raptors, who were missing Kyle Lowry, there were numerous players who stood out. We'll start with Nikola Mirotic, who continued his stellar play by putting up 29 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in 32 minutes off the bench. Mike Dunleavy chipped in with 21 points off his own, while Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol combined for 19 points, 19 rebounds and 20 assists in the win. They did a little of everything.

Things are looking good for Chicago right now, especially since Taj Gibson is back in the mix and Jimmy Butler is nearing a return too.

NBA Pick
Perhaps we're going against our better judgement here, but we like the Pistons at this underdog price at home.

Yes, they've been underperforming in a big way, and it's not like they've had much success against the Bulls in previous meetings this season. However, we still like the talent that Detroit brings to the table, especially in the frontcourt with Drummond and Monroe. That pairing is a handful for anyone and that gives the Pistons something to work with against Chicago's Gasol and Noah, another formidable duo.

This one really comes down to Jackson. He hasn't been performing at a consistent level since being acquired, but if he has a good game we really like Detroit's chances of not only covering but perhaps winning straight up at home. We're going to take a chance with our NBA Picks and back the Pistons.